Beijing prosecutors enhance legal education for international students

Beijing prosecutors are exploring new ways to improve legal education for international minors, aiming to develop international legal frameworks and strengthen child protection.

On Monday, 18 international students from the International Department of Beijing Yu Cai School, hailing from countries such as Egypt, Thailand, Mongolia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, visited the New Start Center at the Xicheng District People's Procuratorate. The center is dedicated to educating young people about the legal system.

During their visit, the students learned about the role of Chinese prosecutors and how to stay safe. They interacted with Zhao Ying, a prosecutor specializing in juvenile cases, to gain insights into Chinese laws, including the age of criminal responsibility and how the country addresses issues such as school bullying, child abuse, and domestic violence.

The students also tried out psychological testing equipment at the center. By attaching a sensor to their ear, the system used breathing patterns and real-time biometric data to create a graph showing their emotional state, such as whether they felt relaxed or stressed.

Marwan Mazen, a 17-year-old from Egypt, expressed his excitement and gains from the visit. "The activity was meaningful to me. I've learned about bullying and Chinese law. I truly realized that legal education is really connected to our daily life, and it can really protect us as students and let us know about our rights and responsibilities," he said. "I've been studying in Beijing for a long time, but it was my first time having such a great experience in such an impressive place. I feel safe studying in China as I know there is a strong legal system protecting everyone."

Shou Yan, a teacher from the school and a deputy to the Beijing People's Congress, the capital's top legislature, highlighted the importance of legal education for international students in China, stressing that both domestic and foreign students need to understand and follow the law.

"This activity shows China's openness in its legal system and is crucial for the safety of international students living here," she said, suggesting that such programs should be a regular part of school education.

Zhao viewed the event as an innovation for prosecutors.

"By inviting international students to our juvenile center, we provide them with a clearer understanding of Chinese law, helping them avoid unintentional violations and empowering them to use the law for their own protection," she explained. "This activity showcases the strong collaboration between educational institutions and legal authorities, offering foreign students a firsthand experience of the fairness and benevolence inherent in China's juvenile justice system," she added.